Georgia’s Kirby Smart – Jake Pope celebrates with Ole Miss fans ‘just stupid’

Georgia coach Kirby Smart called backup safety Jake Pope’s actions “just stupid” after the player was caught seemingly chatting up Ole Miss fans following the Rebels’ 28-10 victory over then-No celebrated on the field. 3 Bulldogs at Vaught Hemingway Stadium on Saturday.

Smart told reporters during a news conference Monday that Pope was celebrating with friends from Buford High School in Georgia.

“What an idiot. I mean, just stupid,” Smart said. “I haven’t seen it until today, but he’s embarrassed. He is upset about this. This is obviously a friend from his childhood that he grew up with and played with there in Buford, and he knows him, hadn’t seen him in forever, but just not really smart.

“To be honest, I don’t have time to waste energy on this. My focus is on Tennessee. I’m not worried about that.”

The Bulldogs host Tennessee on Saturday night (7:30 p.m. ET/ABC, ESPN+) in a potential CFP elimination game at Sanford Stadium.

Pope, who spent two seasons at Alabama before transferring to Georgia this year, apologized in a statement issued Monday

“This is in no way representative of me,” Pope said in the statement. “In no way would I ever celebrate a loss in this program, and anyone who knows me well knows that. My longtime family friends unexpectedly approached me after the game as I attempted to leave the field.” brought to safety and were really happy to see me again after the game.

“I was also surprised to see her and that’s why you saw the reaction I gave about the video.”

Pope, who played in three games for the Bulldogs, said he was “Georgia through thick and thin and have never loved a group of guys more than the guys I battle with day in and day out.”

“In closing, I want to say again that I am completely sorry to my teammates, coaches and fans for how this video looked and I choose to move on and prepare for a great rest of the season with my brothers,” Pope said .

Meanwhile, Smart said senior receiver Colbie Young will remain suspended until his legal case is resolved. According to the Athens-Clarke County Jail, Young was arrested Oct. 8 on charges of assault and battery on an unborn child.

On Wednesday, Young’s attorney, Kim Stephens, released an affidavit from the 20-year-old woman involved in the incident retracting her original statement to police and calling for all criminal charges against Young to be dropped. The woman said in the affidavit that the police report was “distorted” and did not accurately reflect what happened on Oct. 8.

“I went to Colbie’s apartment late at night to talk to him about our relationship and my pregnancy,” the woman said in the affidavit. “Colbie asked me to leave more than once while I was there. I only left when I got mad at him and said our conversation wasn’t productive.

“Colbie did not place his hands on me in any way that was inappropriate or unwelcome during the conversation and argument. He didn’t hit me. He didn’t push me. It didn’t leave me with any bruises or scars. He didn’t hurt me in any way.

The woman said she asked the Athens-Clarke County Attorney General’s Office on Oct. 14 to dismiss the charges against Young.

“The legal process must take its course,” Smart said. “Look, we want to support Kobe wherever we can. We will continue to provide him with access to our facilities and support resources available to us regardless of whether that is the case.” [the academic center]the training room, mental health, weight room. But before we can do anything, the legal process must be completed.”

Young’s arraignment is scheduled for Dec. 10.